An Indiana State Trooper and a female whose crash he was working were very lucky not to be seriously hurt when his patrol car was struck by a vehicle.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. this afternoon, Indiana State Trooper Jermael King was sitting in his patrol car, on the emergency berm, with the emergency lights activated, working a crash on I-70 EB to I-465 SB. A female that was involved in the crash was sitting in Trooper King's front passenger seat. Both vehicles were completely off the roadway.

According to a witness, a red Expedition SUV struck the left rear of Trooper King's patrol car and continued without stopping. The witness called 911 while continuing to follow the vehicle. The suspect vehicle exited onto Pendleton Pike from I-465 and pulled into the Lawrence Crossing apartment complex. The witness reported that the suspect exited the vehicle, removed the license plate, and began walking EB on 42nd Street.

Lawrence police officers were dispatched to the area and were able to detain the suspect until ISP officers arrived.

Michael A. Masters Jr., 33, of Indianapolis, was arrested on two felony and one misdemeanor charge. He was transported to the Marion County Arrestee Processing Center without incident and charged with leaving the scene of a crash causing injury, driving while suspended causing injury and driving while suspended.

Trooper King, a four year Indianapolis District veteran, was transported to Methodist Hospital to be treated for back pain. The female front seat passenger was checked at the scene and refused transportation to a hospital.